<p>I have a unique situation... I went to freshman, sophomore, and junior year at a top rated public school in NJ. I had trouble at school, and was bullied pretty badly (I wrote my essay about that), and my grades suffered. I only took one AP class in junior year, and had a B average. Senior year, I decided to declare Florida residency and take all of my classes online through flvs. We've had a house down here for like eight years, so everything was legit. I'm currently taking Ap English lit and comp, ap microeconomics, hon geometry, ap environmental science, ap us gov and politics, and have all As and Bs. I have two great letters of Rec from my vice principal and my favorite teacher from the public school. Three volunteering awards, and over 400 or 500 hrs of service. I wrote my essay a year in advance, and had it read over by a published author in my area, who said it was really great. It shows how I turned a bad situation into something good... I initiated and led an anti bullying group at my towns middle school and spoke of my experience. My essay isn't a big sob story, although it is pretty deep in the beginning. What are my chances for The colleges listed below? I'm a homeschooler, have a ton of extra curriculars, did three years in a NJ public school, have been a florida resident since August 14, highest ACT score was 26 (31 reading, 21 math, 20 science, 10 writing, 28 English), Steep upward trend in grades, I'm certain that I'll end my classes with A or high B averages, two awesome letters of rec, and a really unique and meaningful essay. </p>
<p>What are my chances of getting into Stetson University in FL, University of FL, University of South FL, University of North FL?</p>
<p>Something that sticks out as a red flag to me is the fact that you only got a 10 in writing, while you have an apparently stellar essay. I would think either A. your essay isn’t as good as you think, or B. you had someone else write it for you. Also, don’t assume automatically that you are unique. I did this same thing until I truly opened my eyes and looked around at others. I know a girl in your exact same situation, minus the switching state residencies and had better grades in public school. I am not saying that you are hopeless, far from it, but you need to take into account outside factors. Also, if you are looking at FL schools because of instate tuition, then you are probably out of luck. Many public schools require a set time in the state before applying as an instate student. UC’s, from what I have learned, require at least 3 years before college in state prior to claiming instate tuition.</p>
<p>Has the student (or the student’s parent or legal guardian if the student is considered dependent) established a physical presence in Florida for at least twelve (12) months immediately preceding the first day of residency for which Florida residency is sought?</p>
<p>Has the intent of residing in Florida for the required minimum 12 month period been for the purpose of maintaining a bona fide domicile rather than for the purpose of enrollment in an institution of higher education? </p>
<p>Straight from the FL University System website</p>
<p>I was told that a 10 out 12 in writing was pretty good considering that I have severe dyslexia. </p>
<p>And yes, my parent signed a residency affidavit on Aug 14, so by the time fall 2013 rolls around, he would have been a resident for over 12 months.</p>
<p>Oh, I thought you meant with the combined english/writing, not just the writing on its own. I take that part back then, and will hold my piece since you did better than me with my lousy 9 after checking just now. If you read the part for the residency thing, they are looking at PHYSICAL presence in Florida as well as the fact of if it for just school. Pretty much they are looking for people who do exactly what you are doing. They are checking that you physically are in Florida for those 12 months, and on other circumstances. They are going to see if just you or you and your parents are residents of Florida because if not, why would your parents make just you be a legal resident and them remain NJ residents and miraculously a year later, almost exactly 12 months, have you apply for FL schools as instate. It isn’t just about being a resident, but actually being a part of Florida society.</p>
<p>Yeah, my dads setting up a business down here, so that should suffice. I also take all my classes through Florida virtual school, and my IP address will show a Florida zip code. I have a florida license and a debit card, so my purchase history will show that I went to starbucks in Fl, the mall in Fl, etc. I also volunteer at a local church weekly, so the pastor could definitely vouch for my presence as well as the log in sheets.</p>
<p>wow that is a crazy situation I’m glad everything worked out! I think you have a really good chance at all the schools especially considering the essay sounds awesome! Thanks for the chance back!</p>
<p>Just make sure to not focus on your past too much. Look towards what value your experiences will have in the future to yourself and to the school(they are still trying to run a business overall). Utilize your experience to show how you have grown, but make sure that you have something substantial besides that, because if not, you would seem to me as a kid just banking on your problems, which from what I see you are not. Reading some peoples’ essays, I want to punch them in the face because all they do is self loath and talk about what they learned from how everything in the world conspired against them. You, on the other hand, actually seem to have done something good with your knowledge from adversity and have tried to stop the same thing from helping others, but just remember not to bank on that. Try the SAT maybe before the deadline for FL schools passes, or show something that you excel in that has nothing to do with your situation, because then you can show to the world, and yourself as well, that you will not let one experience define the entirety of your life, and that you are a contending candidate, even without your situation. You seem like you shouldn’t have a problem though. Keep us posted.</p>
<p>Edit: I apologize for grammar and syntax, but it is late and I am going to bed now after finishing my college essay.</p>
<p>Every person is unique. The point is you sell yourself to the college. Ignore Cardoza’s comment that you aren’t special. Every single person who applies is special in some way. You just have to prove that to the college.</p>